Talking machine



Aug. 1@ 1926.

A. CORTELLA TALKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 6, 1918 Inveitor: A fltl/fon'so Cortellq, W,

Aug. 10 1926. 1,595,141

A. CORTELLA TALKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 6, 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor.- flifonso Gov-Zelda, by @M/ dmzg Aug. 10 1926. 1,595,141

A. CORTELLA TALKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 26 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 lave to? fllfonso Corieila Aug. 10 1926. 1,595,141

A. CORTELLA TALKING MACHI NE} Filed Jan. 2 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor.- flfons o Corielia Patented Aug. 10, 1926.

(UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

ALFONSO CORTELLA, OI PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TALKING macnmn.

Application filed January 26, 1918. Serial in. 213,848.

This invention relates to talking machines,

and more particularly to a multiple record machine or that type of machine which is provided with-a plurality of record carrying members.

The object is to provide a more simple and eflicient machine of the typeindic'ated, and designed for recording and reproducing a plurality of records in succession, without interruption of continuity, and particularly adapted for use in connection with a motion picture machine. v

In the drawings of the embodiment of my invention illustrated and described herein,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation;

Fig. 2, a plan; certain parts being shown in section;

Fig. 3, an end elevation from the right, Fig. 1, partly in section;

Fig. 4, an opposite end elevation;

Fig. 5, an enlarged sectional detail of the 'recprd supporting member locking means;

Fig. 6, an elevation of a convenient form of hollow tone arm construction.

My improved talking machine, see Figs. 1, 2, comprises a convenient table or stand 1, suitably supported as by legs 2. Mounted upon the -table 1, are a plurality, herein two, of turn-table or record carrying member supports 3, each having laterally extended arms 4. 5. These arms, Fig. 3, are provided with preferably ball bearings to receive the hollow turn-table shafts 6, which rotate therein.

Conveniently positioned adjacent the shafts 6, Fig. 2, and in this case in the rear, is located a driving shaft 7, adapted to be driven by any convenient means, and herein provided with a gear 8 in mesh with a gear 9 on an upright shaft 10, to which power may be supplied from any suitable source. I

The shaft 7, Fig. 2, is provided with a plurality of gears 11, each in mesh with a co-operating gear 12 on one of the vertical shafts 6, whereby rotation is imparted to the turn-tables 12 on the upper ends of the shafts.

Each turn-table, or record carrying memher, is adapted to be, and preferably is, always in rotation and may, for convenience, be termed simultaneously or continuously (gperating record or tablet carrying-mem- The record, Figs. 1, 5, is directly supported by a record supporting member 13 in. the form of a pintle within the hollow shaft 6, freely rotatable therein and extending above and below the same, the pintle being provided with a flange 14 at its upper end, which flange has on its lower face a downwardly extended tooth 15 to engage cooperatingcrown teeth 16 on the upper end ofthe. shaft 6 for imparting rotation to the pintle 13 and its record. The record is retained on the pintle 13 by any convenient means, as a nut 17, for engaging the threaded end of the pintle.

As previously stated, the two turn-tables are so connected with the operating shaft 7 that they are both always in operation, but I have provided novel record shifting means for unlocking the record supporting member 13 from its shaft 6 and supporting the record in unlocked and inoperative position; and also for throwing the record supporting member again into operative relation with the shaft. 6.

' It will be obvious that it is particularly desirable that means he provided that will shift the records soquickly that no interruption in the reproduction thereof will occur. At any suitable point, therefore, and

preferably between the two turn-tables, is

'13 and its record tablet in inoperative position, and an adjoining bevel face or cam section 23 which, as the support 21 moves in one direction ina manner to be described, beneath the pintle end, permits the lower end of the pintle to drop onto a second and lower record supporting. member bearing face 23, and the record to drop into contact with and upon the turn-table 12 the latter together with the record to be put into operation by the engagement of the tooth 15 with the teeth 16.

Itwill be noted from the construction so far described that necessarily, when one end of the lever 19 with its pintle support 21 is thrust inwardly or rearwardly from the front of the table 1, the opposite end, with its pintle support is pushed forwardly, so that necessarily one pintle with its record tablet is unlocked from its shaft 6 while the opposite pintle and its record tablet is locked to its shaft 6.

For throwing forward and locking one end of the lever 19 simultaneously with the 1 rearward motion of the opposite end of said lever and thus instantly shifting the records, I have invented the following novel record shifting mechanism.

Beneath the lever 19, Fig. 2, and near each end thereof, are positioned lever positioning members 25, 26. These members are connected at their rear ends to reversing levers 27 28, which form part of the controlling means to be described, pivoted by screws 29, to the table 1. Each reversing lever has an oppositely extended arm 29 which is also part of the controlling means, each arm being suitably positioned to be engaged by one of two trip members 30, Fig. 6, depending from and adapted to be actuated by one of the sound arms 31, or as herein, from the post 32 carrying the sound arm.

For positively acting upon the lever positioning members 25, 26. at the proper times, and causing them to throw the respective ends of the shifting lever 19, I have provided lever shifting members in the form of springs 33, one end of which is secured to each of the positioning members, while the opposite ends are secured to the reversing levers 27 28. Each member 33 acts, when its lever positioning member 25 or 26 is in proper position, that is, when the joint between it an its reversing lever 27 or 28 is broken, Fig. 2, right hand end, and by means of the post 34 on said lever to draw one end of the lever 19 rearwardly with its pintle supporting member 21, and thus also to throw forwardly the opposite end of the le ver 19 and its pintle support until it engages the stop 35.

Each trip member 30, Fig. 2, is carried by and so adjusted as to position on its sound arm 31 that it will swing with it and will trip the arm 29 of the lever 27 or 28 by an adjustable screw 36, on the member 30 being pushed against the arm by the traveling sound arm when the needle 37 of the sound box 38 thereon, having completed the reproduction of the sound record n the tablet 39, is fed laterally sufficiently far to cause said engagement. This result is accomplished for instance, very satisfactorily if the sound arm is deflected laterally quickly by the sound groove at the end thereof.

The forward ends of the levers 25. 26, are brought to the edge of the table 1. for convenience. and received beneath guide plates 40 for protection. The extent of travel and desired accurate adjustment of the movement of each lever is determined by a cam 41 which may be positioned as required for that .purpose, and which is rotatably secured by the screw 42 looking the plate 40 in position. The sound arm 31 may be of the usual hollow type and provided with a usual sound box 38, as in Fig. 6, or it may, as in this case, be merely a supporting member for a sound box electrically equipped as by wires 44 for transmitting the reproduction to a remote point either within or without the hall, where the instrument is used.

Obviously the shaft 10 may be properly connected for operation by a crank if it is desired to operate the same manually; or if it is desired to operate the same in connection with a motion picture machine and as a part of a combined motion picture and talking machine, not shown but which may be of any conventional type, then suitable con nections for that purpose may be provided as in this case.

To that end the shaft 10, Fig. 4, is jour-- naled in bearings 45 and is provided with a gear 46 adapted to engage a gear 47 on a shaft 48, one end of which is 'journaled in an adjustable bearing 49 drilled at or near its rear end to receive a rod 50. This rod is secured by brackets 51 to the table sup port 2, and on this rod the bearing 49 may be raised or lowered, carrying the end of the shaft 48, as may be desired, according to the height of the motion picture machine. The shaft would of course be of any of the usual types permitting such adjustment. The bearing may be locked in desired position by lock screws 52.

In some instances where it is desired to operate the talking machine with a motion picture machine by electric motor, the current is so variable that it interferes noticeably with the regularity of speed.

For use in such cases, Figs. 1, 2, particularly, I have provided a speed regulator comprising a shaft 53 mounted at its ends in brackets 54, at each end of the table 1. and for convenience upon the supports 3. A central support 55 is also provided.

The shaft is provided with a worm 56 at each end which meshes with a worm gear 57 on each shaft '6. The-shaft 53 is also provided with a disk 58 and the usual ball governor 59.

Journaled in the bearings 60, Fig. 2, on the table 1, is a shaft 61 carrying at its outer end a finger piece 62 with an adjusting screw 63 at its end which bears against the table 1. On the rear or inner end of the shaft 61, Fig. 1, is an upright arm 64 forked at its upper end and carrying on each arm of the fork a shoe 65 a suitab e material as leather, adapted to engage the disk 58 with any degree of friction according to the adjustment of the set screw 63. The desired adjustment having been made to produce the desired speed, it will be clear that any variation therein will cause the governor to draw the disk toward and against the shoe 65, or throw it away from it with a resulting increase or decrease of friction and speed. The speed regulator also acts to olfset any lost motion caused from wear, and to eliminate all vibrations bythe shafts and gears of the machines and motor.

I will describe the operation of my novel talking machine in connection with a motion picture machine, the picture and words having been synchronously made by any suitable apparatus, it being obvious that by using a recording stylus in the machine just described, a record may be made as well as reproduced.

The record tablet containing thereon the first part of the record to be reproduced, is placed for instance upon the left-hand turntable, Figs. 1, 2, secured to its pintle by the nut 17 with the levers 25, 26, 27, 28, in their present position. The lever 25 at the opposite end of the lever 19 has been thrown into its present position, Fig. 2, through the action of the lever shifting member 33, and will be thrown into dotted line position by the operator preparatory .to the operation of its turn-table in due time.

Motion is imparted to the left-hand turntable and record tablet by the shafts 51, 10 and 7, as described, and the reproducing stylus having been placed in the record groove, reproduction of the record is begun.

While this portion of the record is being reproduced, the tablet containing the next following portion of the record is placed in position on the opposite record supporting pintle, which is of course, Fig. 1, resting upon its pintle support 21 in inoperative position.

As the picture machine and talking ma chine are both geared to the same operating shaft 47, they are, of course, operated in perfect synchronism.

The trip member 30 and its screw 36 are, as stated, so adjusted upon the post 32, Figs. 2, 3, or upon the sound arm 31, Fig. 6, if used, that the screw 36 will engage the end of the arm 29 of the lever 28 the instant the reproduction from the tablet in' use is finished. When the arm 29 is engaged by the trip member 30, the former is, of course, thrown quickly to the left, unlocking the joint of the levers 26, 28, and permitting the spring 33 to draw the lovers into dotted line position, Fig. 2.

This action will cause the post 34 on lever 25 to throw the right-hand end of the lever 19 forwardly into a position corresponding to that occupied by the opposite end of the .lever in Fig. 2, and causing the. cam face 23 on the member 21 on the Fig. 2 left-hand end,

of lever 19 to raise the pintle 17 and its tablet into the inoperative position occupied by the right-hand pintle and tablet in Figs. 2, 3.

.Obviously, the exact reverse action takes place at the opposite or right-hand end of the lever 19, and the second tablet is thus instantly dropped into operative position and continuation of the reproduction continued without interruption; in fact, it is impossible to tell, without looking, when the change in tablets is made. In this way the turn-tables are each thrown into and out of operative position in repeated cycles for any length of time.

The first or left-hand record is now removed and a, new one substituted while the opposite recordis' being played, the lefthand lever 26 is manually returned to full .line position, the post 34 acting as an adjustable fulcrum for that purpose, the tone arm returned to operative position manually, Fig. 2, and the left-hand turn-table is again ready to be automatically thrown into use by a repetition of the foregoing recited steps at the opposite or right-hand end of the Fig. 2.

While the records are being changed the sound arm may rest on the bracket 66.

The construction described herein is especially adapted for use in cases where an automatically operative construction is not required or where it is desired to avoid the increased expense of such a machine.

lVhile I have herein illustrated and described one embodiment of my invention, the latter is not restricted to the construction shown and described.

Claims 1. A sound recording and reproducing machine comprising a plurality of continuously rotatable record carrying members, independently operable record supports thereon, means for operably positioning one record support and record on a continuously rotatable member, and for ino-peratively positioning the record support and record adjacent a continuously rotating member, comprising a spring lever with pintle supporting faces thereon and manually operable means including said lever and pintle supporting faces for initially positioning one record relative to its operative means and for throwing one record into and another record out of operative relation to the continuously rotatable carrying members.

2. A sound recording and reproducing machine comprising a plurality of continuously moving record carrying members, an independently operative record support thereon, means for operatively positioning one record support and record on a continuously moving member, means for inoperativelv positioning one record support and record adjacent a continuously moving member, and means including a bevel faced lever supporting both independently operative record supports and manually-operative levers for throwing one record into and another record out of operative relation to the continuously moving members.

3. A sound recording and reproducing machine comprising a plurality of continuously rotatable record carrying members, independently operable record supports thereon, means for operatively positioning one record support and record on one continuously rotatable member, means for inoperatively positioning one record support and record adjacent another continuously rotatable member, including a cam faced lever and manually operative means having movable fulcrums and including said lever for throwing one record into and another record out of operative relation to the continuously rotatable members.

4. A sound recording and reproducing machine comprising a plurality of continuously rotatable record carrying members, independently operable record supports thereon, means for operatively positioning one record support and record on one continuously rotatable member, for inoperatively positioning one record support and record adjacent another continuously rotatable member, and means including a laterally swinging record shifting lever, with inclined record support bearing faces thereon for throwing one record into and another record out of operative relation to the continuously rotatable members.

5. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, means for recording and reproducing a plurality of records in sequence substantially continuously comprising a plurality of simultaneously operating record carrying members, and independently operative record supports thereon; means for initially operatively positioning one record support on one record carrying member, and for inoperatively positioning one record support in another record carrying member; including a laterally swinging shifting lever supporting said record supports in operative and inoperative positions, and means including movably fulcumed positioning levers to actuate said shifting lever to throw the shifting lever laterall and to raise one record supporting member to throw it into inoperative relation to its carrying member, and to throw a second record supporting member into operative relation to its carrying member.

6. lln a sound recording and reproducing machine, means for recording and reproducing a plurality of records in sequence substantially continuously comprising a plurality of simultaneously operating record carrying members, and independently operable record supports thereon; means for initially operatively positioning one record support on one carrying member and for inoperatively positioning one record supporting member in a second carrying member; including a laterally swinging shifting lever and movably fulcrumed positioning levers operatively connected with the shifting lever, reversing levers and controlling levers connected to the positioning levers to throw the shifting lever laterally and raise one record supporting member into inoperative relation to its carrying member and for dropping a second record supporting member simultaneously into operative relation to its carrying member.

7. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, means for recording and reproducing a plurality of records substantially continuously comprising a plurality of simultaneously operative record carrying members, and independently operative record supports thereon; means for initially operatively positioning one record support and its record on one of the carrying members, and for inoperatively positioning a second record support and its record in a second carrying member including a laterally swinging shifting lever with a plurality of record supporting member bearing faces for supporting the independently operative record supports, and movably fulcrumed positioning levers locking the shifting lever ends and moving therewith, reversing levers, and horizontally movable lever shiftin members connecting them to the positioning members, and controlling levers acting simultaneously with the reversing levers and adapted to be acted upon by the tone arm to automatically change the positions of the records,

8. A sound recording and reproducing machine comprising simultaneously operating record carrying members, shafts there for, successively operative record supporting pintles for holding the records in inoperative position, a plurality of sound arms, and means for locking the pintles in operative engagement with the simultaneously operating carrying members; record shifting means including a driving shaft, and a centrally pivoted record shifting lever having bevelled pintle supports thereon, laterally moving shifting lever positioning members; reversing means for the shifting lever positioning means; lever tripping members operated by the sound arms to actuate the reversing levers and means including the reversing means and shifting lover positioning members for locking the shifting lever to lock one record into and a second record out of operative position in repeated c cle:

9.111 a sound recording and reproducing machine, means for recording and reproducing a'plurality of records substantially continuously comprising a plurality of Mill simultaneously operative record carrying members, and independently operative record supports thereon; means for operatively positioning one record support and its record on one of the carrying members, and for" inoperatively positioning a second record support and its record on a second carrying member; including a laterally swinging shifting lever with a plurality of record supporting member bearing faces for supporting the independently operative record supports, and movably fulcrumed positioning levers locking the shifting lever ends and moving therewith; reversing levers, and lever shifting members connecting them to the positioning members, and controlling levers acting simultaneously with the reversing levers and adapted to be acted upon by the tone arm, and a support for the foregoing with a movable bearing thereon, an operating shaft therein, having a gear, a counter shaft having a gear in mesh with the first-named gear, a second gear on said counter shaft, and a driving shaft with a gear thereon in mesh with said second gear, and driving means on said driving shaft operatively connected to said simultaneously operating carrying members.

10. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, means for recording and reproducing a plurality of records substantially continuously comprising a driving shaft 7, gears 11 thereon; posts 3, simultaneously operating carrying member shafts 6 therein with gears 12 thereon in mesh with the gears 11; simultaneously operating record carrying members 12 on the shafts 6, independently operative record supporting members 13 carried also by the members 6, means for locking records thereto; means for clutching the members 13 to the members 6; means to operatively position one record supporting member 13 and its record on one record carrying member 12 and to inoperatively position a second record supporting member and its record on a second record carrying member 12 comprising the laterally swinging record shifting lever 19, record supporting member bearing faces 22, 23 thereon, the bevel face 23 connecting said faces; lever positioning members 25, 26, movably fulcrumed, posts 34 on said members and looking the shifting lever in position, reversing levers 27, 28, connected with the members 25, 26, and controlling levers 29 movably connected with the reversing levers and adapted to be acted upon by the tone arm.

11. A sound recording and reproducing machine comprising sound arms and record carrying members, successively operating members within said carrying members carrying records at all times, record shifting means for shifting the records into and out of operation by varying the relation between the record carrying members and the successively operating members, comprising a rocking shifting lever with tapering seats, the successively operating members seated thereon, shifting lever positioning members having an adjustable pivot mounting, reversing levers connected to and actuating the positioning members, a yielding lever shifting member connecting the reversing and positioning members, a controlling member for each reversing member and tripping members on the sound arms for operating the record shifting means.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ALFONSO CORTELLA. 

